Member of Parliament for Mpraeso, Davis Ansah Opoku, has joined growing calls for greater Ghanaian ownership of the country’s mineral resources, backing the position of the Institute of Economic Affairs against renewing Gold Fields’ lease for the Tarkwa mines.
Speaking in an interview with SweetFMOnline during an IEA press conference in Accra, the legislator argued that Ghana now possesses the technical expertise, professional capacity and local companies needed to independently manage strategic mining assets.
“For me, Ghanaian resources must be owned by Ghanaians. That is the only way we can develop our country,” he stated.
According to him, foreign companies initially played an important role in Ghana’s mining industry because the country lacked sufficient expertise, but that situation has now changed significantly.
Growing Local Expertise in Mining
Ansah Opoku pointed to the growing number of tertiary institutions offering mining-related programmes, including Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and University of Mines and Technology, arguing that Ghana continues to produce highly skilled mining professionals every year.
“Yes, at a point in our development, we needed to bring in foreigners to support us because we lacked that expertise.
“But today we have universities such as KNUST running programmes in mining. Go to UMaT in Tarkwa, they are producing experts in that industry every year.” - Davis Ansah Opoku
He maintained that Ghana should now move toward taking control of its mines to create more meaningful employment opportunities for citizens and ensure mining revenues remain within the domestic economy.
“The unemployment situation in our country continues to be on the rise. And if Ghanaians can own these firms, employ Ghanaians, let this money stay in our country and use that to develop our country, I think it’s only fair." - Davis Ansah Opoku
Debate Over Tarkwa Lease Intensifies
The comments come amid ongoing national discussions over the future of the Tarkwa mine lease, which is set to expire in 2027.
Gold Fields has already applied for a 20-year extension of the lease, describing Tarkwa as one of the company’s most important global operations. According to the company, Ghana contributed roughly 25 percent of its global production output last year.
However, critics argue that despite the mine’s profitability, Ghana has not retained enough long-term economic value from its mineral resources.
Ansah Opoku claimed that Gold Fields generated close to $500 million in profit from its Ghana operations last year alone, while much of the operational work at the mines is already being carried out by Ghanaian firms.
“Most of the operational work that is done in Tarkwa is done by Ghanaians.
“You have firms like Rocksure, Engineers and Planners and several others doing the actual mining operations.” - Davis Ansah Opoku
According to him, multinational mining companies often focus on extracting ore and repatriating profits abroad, leaving limited benefits within the local economy.
Push for Indigenous Companies
The MP also advocated stronger government support for indigenous Ghanaian companies, arguing that local ownership would help retain wealth within the country and accelerate national development.
He compared the potential growth of Ghanaian firms to the rise of Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote and his business empire, insisting that deliberate national support helped transform Dangote into a continental industrial force.
“Let’s create a Dangote in Ghana,” Ansah Opoku said. “If we support local firms to do what is right, the money stays in Ghana and helps develop Ghana.”
He argued that retaining mining revenues domestically could support the construction of roads, schools and hospitals while reducing capital outflows.
Calls for National Resource Control
The lawmaker further questioned why Ghana should renew mining leases for foreign operators once concession agreements expire.
“It is our minerals. It is not owned by any foreigner. And so if it has expired, why should we renew that for you?” he asked.
Ansah Opoku also linked the debate to broader concerns about the treatment of Ghanaians abroad, particularly in South Africa, arguing that Ghana must place greater priority on protecting its own economic interests.
He concluded by reaffirming his full support for the IEA’s position, describing the campaign for stronger Ghanaian ownership of strategic mineral resources as necessary for the country’s long-term economic independence.
READ ALSO: IEA Opposes Gold Fields Tarkwa Lease Renewal, Pushes for State Ownership
